Abstract
The use of nanoparticle colloids for spray deposition of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) precursor films and subsequent fabrication of CIGS solar cells has been investigated. According to this approach, amorphous Cu-In-Ga-Se nanoparticle colloids were first prepared by reacting a mixture of CuI, InI3, and GaI3 in pyridine with Na2Se in methanol at reduced temperature. Purified colloid was sprayed onto heated molybdenum-coated sodalime glass substrates to form Cu-In-Ga-Se precursor films. After thermal processing of the precursor films under a selenium ambient, CIGS solar cells were fabricated. Cu-In-Ga-Se colloids and films were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy. Standard current-voltage characterization was performed on the CIGS solar cell devices with the best film exhibiting a solar conversion efficiency of 4.6%.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J.R. Tuttle, J.S. Ward, A. Duda, T.A. Berens, M.A. Contreras, K.R. Ramanathan, A.L. Tennant, J. Keane, E.D. Cole, K. Emery and R. Noufi, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 426 (Pittsburgh, PA: Mater. Res. Soc., 1996), p. 143.
S.P. Albright, 1997, personal communication (active area=2,793 cm2, 10.5% active area efficiency 7.8 % total area efficiency).
M. Pehnt, D.L. Schulz, C.J. Curtis, K.M. Jones and D.S. Ginley, Appl. Phys. Lett. 67, 2176 (1995).
R.F. Jarvis, M. Müllenbom, B.G. Yacobi, N.M. Haegel and R.B. Kaner, Mater Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 272 (Pittsburgh, PA: Mater. Res. Soc., 1992), p. 229.
M. Müllenborn, R.F. Jarvis, B.G. Yacobi, R.B. Kaner, C.C. Coleman and N.M. Haegel, Appl. Phys. A 56, 3217 (1993).
Joint Commitee for Powder Diffraction Standards, International Center for Diffraction Data, 12 Campus Blvd., Newtown Square, PA 19073, No. 35-1102 (CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2), No. 29-575 (Cu2Se), No. 6-680 (Cu2−xSe), No. 20-494 (β-In2Se3), No. 5-724 (α-Ga2Se3).
P.V. Kamat, Mater. Technol. 9, 147 (1994).
R. Klenk, T. Walter, H.-W. Schock and D. Cahen, Adv. Mater. 5, 114 (1993).
J.R. Tuttle, M. Contreras, M.H. Bode, D. Niles, D.S. Albin, R. Matson, A.M. Gabor, A. Tennant, A. Duda and R. Noufi, J. Appl. Phys. 77, 153 (1995).
V. Probst, F. Karg, J. Rimmasch, W. Riedl, W. Stetter, H. Harms and O. Eibl, Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 426 (Pittsburgh, PA: Mater. Res. Soc., 1996), p. 165.
D.S. Albin, J.R. Tuttle and R. Noufi, J. Electron. Mater. 24, 351 (1995).
The I-V response curves for CIGS solar cells were obtained using a measurement system consisting of an Optical Radiation Corporation Solar Simulator 1000, a temperature-regulated sample stage (25°C), and computer-controlled I-V instrumentation. I-V characteristics are referenced to AM1.5 solar spectra approximating the global ASTM E 892-87 specification at 1000 W/m2.
F.J. Garcia and M.S. Tomar, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Part 1 22, 535 (1983).
T. Arita, N. Suyama, Y. Kita, S. Kitamura, T. Hibino, H. Takada, K. Omura, N. Ueno and M. Murozono, Conf. Rec. IEEE Photovoltaic Spec. Conf. 20th, (1988), p. 1650.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schulz, D.L., Curtis, C.J., Flitton, R.A. et al. Cu-In-Ga-Se nanoparticle colloids as spray deposition precursors for Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cell materials. J. Electron. Mater. 27, 433–437 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-998-0173-5
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-998-0173-5